Word: beset
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...must meet the obvious objection that wealthy young men might be induced to break away from the temptations to idleness which beset them, and succeed in winning money which they do not need. Not to mention the probable supposition that in such cases the emolument would in some way be restored to the college, it is confidently replied that, any stimulus to self-control and industry which may chance to reach the inheritors of wealth it is for the interest of the community to bestow. Moreover, to those who are troubled by difficulties of this description, it may be pointed...
...this town were beset by many foes. Among them were "goodies" and "pocos," who dwelt in the town itself, and a race of fierce savages, called "Port peelers," who infested a high mountain near the place called "Mt. Auburn," whence they frequently descended, and bearing away every one whom they met, buried them alive on the slopes of the hill. Query: Was "port" an abbreviation of porto? The men had also a feud with a certain Yale, of which nothing more is known. Men are often spoken of as "deading"; may they not have been killed in these contests...
They have done well in pointing out the evils which must of necessity beset those of us who, with blind infatuity, clothe ourselves; in garments made by English tailors; with unerring instinct they have discovered, and with overwhelming force have stated, the danger of having our furniture made on such demoralizing principles as those laid down by Eastlake. But is this enough to reclaim us from the evil of our ways? Are there not many other besetting sins weighing us down that should be corrected, lest we "leave college self-esteemed oligarchs, with neither the power nor the inclination...